Disagreements must not distort into hatred and violence: CJI

16TH RAMNATH GOENKA JOURNALISM AWARDS

• Press must remain free, he says

UNDERLINING THE NEED to respect divergent views, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday cautioned that disagreements "must not distort into hatred and hatred must not be permitted to evolve into violence."

Addressing the 16th edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards here, the CJI said, "Many journalists, both in our country as well as across the world, work in difficult and unfriendly conditions. But they are relentless in the face of adversity and opposition. It is precisely this quality which must not be lost." 

The CJI said, "As citizens, we may not agree with the approach that a journalist has adopted or the conclusions that they reach. I, too, find myself disagreeing with many journalists. After all, who amongst us agrees with all other people? But that doesn't mean (it should) evolve into violence." 

Highlighting the importance of a free press for a democracy, the CJI said, "Media is the fourth pillar in the conception of the State, and thus an integral component of democracy. A functional and healthy democracy must encourage the development of journalism as an institution that can ask difficult questions to the establishment - or as it is commonly known, 'speak truth to power. The vibrancy of any democracy is compromised when the press is prevented from doing exactly this. The press must remain free if a country is to remain a democracy"

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman and Managing Director of The Indian Express group, Viveck Goenka said that "an independent judiciary and an independent press are and will remain inalienable parts of our democracy".